Security guard banned from work over ebola fears after he went to Nigeria

Sam Ogunnoiki was told to stay away from work over fears he might have ebola (Picture: Apex)

A security guard has been told not to go to work over fears he may have ebola because he visited Africa.

Sam Ogunnoiki, 46, went to Nigeria – 2,000 miles away from the nearest country with the disease – but faces a three-week quarantine.

He was told by bosses at Stout Security Ltd that he needs to get the all-clear from a British doctor before he can go back to work.

The letter said: ‘Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola’.

He is on a zero-hours contract so now worries about not being paid.

He said: ‘Nigeria does not have Ebola but he said I have to be cleared. There is this stigma surrounding me now – it’s just ignorance and a nightmare because I cannot work.

‘I’m a British citizen. There is no justification for this at all.’

Mr Mannell defended his position saying: ‘I did send Sam a letter saying anyone returning from any African countries for safety reasons cannot work for three weeks afterwards.

‘I know Nigeria is Ebola-free but I don’t know where he’s travelled. My problem is that Pendennis [shipyard], which I have a contract with, sent me an email saying they cannot have anyone working there that’s been in contact with Sam.

Pendennis Shipyard denied imposing a ban on Sam.

A spokesman said: ‘This really seems like an issue between Stout and their employee. We haven’t made a decision or taken any action that implies a problem at all.

‘This is purely between Stout and their employee. Stout are a subcontractor for us and other people on the docks. This has nothing to do with us.’

The letter in full: ‘I have spoken to you and expressed my very deep concerns about your trip to Nigeria.

All you need to know about the actual scale of ebola

‘Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola virus back with you and have made it very clear that they are extremely reluctant to work with you on your return.

‘One member of staff has even written a clear and concise letter stating the concerns of your work colleagues.

‘In this case I have to support their concerns especially as I have already voiced them personally to you.

‘In order to allay any fears that you are a carrier for this deadly virus I feel I cannot allow you to return to work until you have been back in the United Kingdom for three weeks, which is the incubation period.

‘I must also request that you visit your doctor on your return and get a clean bill of health before you can start work with us

‘I am very sorry about this Sam but everyone works in close proximity together and I have to put the concerns of the majority first.’

Pendennis added in a statement: ‘We have now conducted a thorough internal investigation and as a result we have disciplined an employee who acted without authority and without consulting senior management or taken advice from our Occupational Health Nurse.

‘We apologise for any offence or any inconvenience this may have caused Sam Ogunnoiki and we have no problem with him resuming his duties within Pendennis if he is so allocated here by Stout Security.